Trial opens over killing at Uptown's Roo House Tavern, Norristown

COURTHOUSE — Portraying a love triangle that ended in bloodshed, prosecutors presented opening statements Monday in the trial of Norristown’s Tyuan Simon, who is charged with murder in the fatal shooting at Uptown’s Roo House Tavern in October 2010.

Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Lupo called Simon a “cold-blooded killer” who allegedly hired a hit man to kill the victim, Norristown’s Tyree Whiting, in exchange for $10,000.

“This is going to be a roller coaster of a trial,” Lupo said told the jury Monday afternoon after almost a full day of jury selection. “Get ready for the world you’re about to enter — a world full of guns, drugs and where the value of human life is cheap.”

Simon, 33, dressed in a navy blue, button-down collared shirt and tie, appeared calm and penned notes throughout the Commonwealth’s opening statements.

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His attorney, Alfonso Gambone, summed up the case with what he called the pinnacle theme of his defense.

“You’ve all heard the phrase, ‘playing like you have nothing to lose.’ It’s what this case is all about,” Gambone said.

Prosecutors allege Simon promised Bruce “L.B.” Woods, Jr., also of Norristown, $10,000 to kill Whiting. Woods never got the money, but pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in August and faces 77 to 154 years in prison as a result of a plea deal. He is expected to testify at the trial.

According to court documents, Simon and Whiting had both been romantically involved with the same woman from Norristown, and prior to his death, Whiting was in conflict over her with Simon. This conflict, said Lupo, was what ultimately led to Whiting’s murder.

On Oct. 19, 2010, Simon and Woods reportedly conspired at the Uptown Roo House Tavern on Willow Street in Norristown, where Simon told Woods that Whiting had provided information to police that would incriminate Simon, and that he needed to die.

At 9:46 p.m., Whiting left the tavern and Woods followed him. Woods pulled out a 9 mm pistol and demanded Whiting empty his pockets. After Whiting complied, he then fled, and that is when Woods shot at him. One bullet maimed Whiting, and Woods caught up to him and fired several more rounds into his body, ending his life.

“Whiting must have been stumped and shocked when he found himself staring down the barrel of a loaded gun,” said Lupo. “This was no robbery. His eyes got wide and he desperately tried to run, but he could not outrun the bullets. Six bullets fought for Tyuan Simon.”

The trial, expected to last five days, resumes Tuesday morning with witness testimony.